Happy Thanksgiving

I have known for a long time that it never mattered where you were, as long as you were with the ones you love then nothing else mattered.

I had to be reminded of that recently when I got really sad that we still did not have a house yet and here it is Thanksgiving.  I had envisioned a move that went way more smoothly than this one.

The journey here was fantastic, very little fighting and hardly any screaming, well there was the tarantula incident.  We have seen so many cool things, but I need a home.  The kids need a home.  We all need a home.  I never thought this part was going to be hard.  The size of our family prohibits most places from renting to us, and some hotels.

I do not want this to be a complaint blog.  I want this to be a window, if you will, into our family dynamic and our journey into the unknown.  And so far, it has been a crazy journey.  One that we are all ready to end.  Today we plan on driving around for a little while and finding a beach.  On this beach we will run and play and laugh.  Then we plan on coming back to the hotel and having our Thanksgiving dinner.

Since we found a place that is an Extended Stay Hotel, we have a little kitchenette (pictures to come) and a large refrigerator.  So I can reheat the roasted turkey, the mashed potatoes and the mac-n-cheese that we bough from the grocery store.  I can dish out the cranberry sauce and the pumpkin pie, including the whipped topping, and we will have our own little turkey dinner.  We will have a Thanksgiving and we will be together and right now that is all that matters. 

Cameron and Annie really helped put things back into perspective.  They both said that it did not matter where we were or where we lived or did not live, all that matters is that we are together.  Marissa has a sixth sense of when I really need a hug.  I have probably the most amazing kids.  And I am not just saying that, I think that they are really amazing.  People tell me they are all of the time.  Linda (horseback riding) told me that my kids were a breath of fresh air.  She sees a lot of spoiled kids who fight all of the time and it was nice to have kids that laughed and joked with each other.  Kids that were excited and enjoyed their rides as opposed to kids that were not behaved.

I know that my kids are awesome, but it is nice to know that other people think that too.

This Thanksgiving I really am thankful to have what I have.  Sometimes we just say the words and we forget what it really feels like to be thankful for what we have in our lives.  I truly am thankful that I remember what it feels like to be thankful for what I have and for who I have in my life.  I have great kids and a pretty great husband that knows me better than anyone else (yes, probably even better than my mother who knows a lot about me too).

I realized that I talk very little about Shane on here.  Shane is my rock. 

Shane is even going places that are crowded and loud.  I know, it is crazy.  I think he may even go to Disneyland after we get a place and get settled in.  Shane can look at me and know what I am feeling sometimes.  He knows when I lose my strength and my resolve, even for the slightest of seconds.  He is there when I need him to comfort me and he is there when I need to yell at him (although he I do not think he is listening during those times). 

Shane has been more patient with me and my camera than the kids have been.  He has stopped rolling his eyes and usually sends one of the kids to collect me when I stop to take a picture of something I like.  They do not say anything to me, they just grab a part of my clothing and pull.  LOL!  They just sigh and shake their heads and lead me back. 

I think we are going to end up farther from the bay than he would like, but that is life and I am tired of being on the road, so are the kids.  But for now, we have a place and each other and we will not have to go to a diner for Thanksgiving dinner.

Well, I think that may be all for a few days.  The kids are planning their segments and I think Annie is almost ready so you should be hearing from them in the next few days as well.  I will have pictures of the beaches and things we do and see over this holiday weekend definitely by Monday.  With any luck we will have a house/apartment soon.  I have a few more leads that make work out.  Keep your fingers crossed. 

With love,

Jennifer

Oh, and remember to always Say Cheese ...